The chances to encounter someone with cold-like symptoms are high the winter, but cold and allergies are different conditions.
Who doesn’t get at least one cold in the winter?
The CDC confirms that adults catch an average of two to three colds per season, children many more and they may be seamlessly going from one cold to another making the diagnosis confusing. It is estimated that 50 million people in the US suffer from at least one type of allergy. The chances to encounter someone with cold-like symptoms are high this season, but cold and allergies are different conditions, caused by different factors and as such must be tested, diagnosed and treated by the right physician.
Similarities & Differences
The duration of your symptoms is a good indicator if one is suffering from allergies rather than a cold. If symptoms persist for 7 to 10 days the CDC considers it a cold, since allergies are consistent, fluctuates with the seasons and are prompted by exposure to the allergen, especially if they are environmental. The chart below can help you identify the differences between the 2 conditions.
